Diesel generator for a 41’ cat

[Exile410]

Need some advice on diesel generator witch make do you think is the best for my budget around 7000us and what size generator should I buy, can it run and produce 110 & 220 at the same time, I am thinking of one in a case for the sound enclosure and to prevent corrosion.

Equipment onboard & plan to be onboard for the next voyage
the watermaker can run 110 or 220 just a mather of wires plugin , he needs 30 amp minimum on 110.
The coffee maker 110, hot water tank 110, the futur washing and drying machine110, the 30 amp batteries chargers. we spend few month onboard last winter with a gas generator Yamaha 3000 was able to run the water makers with some issues... and honestly it was ventilation and gas issues, was thinking to saves money but did not saves on trouble to operate the gas generator.

Thanks

[skipmac]

I think US$7000 will be a tight budget for a generator with a 220V output. For that price you will be at the lower end of the scale for size and capacity. Generally the smallest marine diesel generators made will be around 4000 Watts without 220V and sell for around $6,000-$7,000.

It would help to know in what country you're located. Some brands are not easily available except where they are manufactured. If you're in the US I think one of the best small generators is the Nextgen. The best generator many agree is the Northern Lights but the 4.5 kW model will be about double your budget.

[Exile410]

I living in Canada close To the Us got easier access to both country boat in Canada in winter and navigate in the Us

[a64pilot]

First there is buying the generator, then there is installing it. I’m thinking you may can get by with a small single cylinder for that kind of money, but for what your wanting, it’s likely at least $10K

[rom]

Originally Posted by Exile410

Need some advice on diesel generator witch make do you think is the best for my budget around 7000us and what size generator should I buy, can it run and produce 110 & 220 at the same time, I am thinking of one in a case for the sound enclosure and to prevent corrosion.

Equipment onboard & plan to be onboard for the next voyage
the watermaker can run 110 or 220 just a mather of wires plugin , he needs 30 amp minimum on 110.
The coffee maker 110, hot water tank 110, the futur washing and drying machine110, the 30 amp batteries chargers. we spend few month onboard last winter with a gas generator Yamaha 3000 was able to run the water makers with some issues... and honestly it was ventilation and gas issues, was thinking to saves money but did not saves on trouble to operate the gas generator.

Thanks

You may have done the math already but could solar be an option ? For 7kUSD you can setup a nice system that will run everything (except the drying machine), possibly with a little help from your alternators.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Exile410

I living in Canada close To the Us got easier access to both country boat in Canada in winter and navigate in the Us

With your budget I think the best option and one of the very few options in that price range is the Nextgen. Made in FL so if you head south for the winter an easy access. NEXT GENERATION POWER ENGINEERING INC.

However as A64 points out, installation isn't included and could add $1,000-$3,000 to the cost.

[Exile410]

Originally Posted by rom

You may have done the math already but could solar be an option ? For 7kUSD you can setup a nice system that will run everything (except the drying machine), possibly with a little help from your alternators.

Yes I did think about solar but big inverter solar control more batteries, solar panels mounted on top of the Bimini preferred to only manage one more engine and just start it when I need it.

[a64pilot]

He said his Watermaker needs 30 amps min at 110V.
Now I’m suspicious of that number as it’s awfully high, but your not getting 30 amps at 110V with Solar, take 5 or 6 KW to get there, remember panels almost never make their rated output.
My 3.5 KW Nexgen, will make 30 amps, just barely, it busting its gut to do it, and I don’t think it should or would do that continuously. It’s very comfortable at 25 though. The Nexgen 3.5 is engine power limited, generator head is 6 KW, but the little motor can’t make 6 KW, it’s wide open and beginning to lose RPM at 30 amps, and of course lose RPM, you lose voltage, which drives amps up, and real soon you define what being behind the power curve is.

If a Nexgen, he is going to need the 5.5KW

[Exile410]

Originally Posted by skipmac

With your budget I think the best option and one of the very few options in that price range is the Nextgen. Made in FL so if you head south for the winter an easy access. NEXT GENERATION POWER ENGINEERING INC.

However as A64 points out, installation isn't included and could add $1,000-$3,000 to the cost.

Budget is without installation
Are you using a next generation at this time
are the good quality built next voyage we will be on board for few years it will run almost every day

Thanks

[malbert73]

+1 on next gen. Love my 5.5 which has been flawless.

[malbert73]

Originally Posted by malbert73

+1 on next gen. Love my 5.5 which has been flawless.

Kubota based, runs at 2800 rpm so a good compromise between lightweight screamers and a northern lights heavy duty which i think is best if you plan on continuous use.

I’ve run mine for 20 hours straight once. Most of time 1-3 hours at a time.

[a64pilot]

A Nexgen is inexpensive and lightweight, for a Cat I have to think weight is an issue.
For me it fit into the lazarette without any modification. A Nexgen is a compromise, if your going to live on generator, a Northern Lights is likley a better choice, but it’s going to cost way more, be bigger and heavier, but it will purr smoothly and quietly for days at a time.

[malbert73]

And from limited personal experience on charter boats, and what I’ve read, stay away from Fischer Panda.

[skipmac]

I would second the comments from A64 and Malbert.

If you want a gennie to run day in, day out for years then spend the money for a Northern Lights. If you're limited by budget, weight, space then you are kind of forced into a Next gen.

No I don't own one but reports from all that do are positive. The only negative is that they are not heavy duty, industrial grade, units. Great for moderate use, charging, making water every few days or so. But for a big yacht that would run a gennie non-stop every time they leave the dock, the Next gen isn't t he right choice.

[smac999]

do yourself a favor and get a real battery charger too. a 30a charger on a gen is a waste of fuel.

what is your shore plug? 30a 120 or 50a 240? if your plug is only 120v, adding a 240v gen will be much harder.